A Carlisle law firm have welcomed exam success for two of its trainee legal executives. 

Both Codie Slessor and Nicole Nicholson passed their retrospective series of exams whilst dealing with disruption caused by the pandemic whilst still holding down full-time roles at solicitor firm, Wragg Mark-Bell. 

Codie, 25, passed his Level 6 exams in conveyancing, criminal law, land law, and landlord and tenant, the final exam stage in the CILEX (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) qualification - meaning if he completes his portfolio by November, he will be aiming to qualify as a legal executive by 2023. 

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"I'm chuffed to bits that I've passed. It is a really nice feeling to know I'm not going to be sitting any more exams. They're not enjoyable by any stretch of the imagination, especially when you're working and then you have to go home and revise," he said. 

Of similar success, 22 year-old Nicole, who is at an earlier stage of her training, passed the CILEX Level 3 exams.

"They really support career growth and all my training is paid for by the firm," she said. 

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Nicole has been with the solicitor firm for five years, beginning with the firm on a business administration apprenticeship at 17 years old. 

There was further success this week for Wragg Mark-Bell as Lauren Goad celebrated promotion from paralegal to trainee solicitor, and will begin her two-year training contract. 

"There has been a lot of people applying because places weren't taking on trainee solicitors during Covid. So it is very competitive and I'm very happy to have secured the job role. I know a lot of people I went to uni with who are struggling to get to that point.

"I’m pleased to have done it within the firm too. Once they've got you and you've got the drive and want to work, they're very supportive of that and getting you to where you want to be in your career," she said. 

Nick Kennon, managing director at Wragg Mark-Bell, said: "This is fantastic news - congratulations to all involved. The firm is committed to developing our people, which in turn is seeing the firm continue to grow in size and capability for our clients."

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